Social Cycle

Summary

Social Cycle is an integrated platform to improve urban cyclist safety and empower the cycling community with wearable technology and a mobile app.Full Description

The number of urban cyclists are increasing all over the world as more people recognise the health, environmental and other benefits of cycling. The cycle use in London has increased 176% since 2000*. As urban cyclists ourselves, we want to take on the challenge to improve the safety of cycling in our cities while the infrastructure is slowly being upgraded. We also want to share the joy of cycling with as many people as possible by connecting the cyclist community.

Video Presentation

Social Cycle

The cape - Improve urban cyclist safety

On the over-crowded roads where urban cyclists are fighting against other vehicles, the last thing you want to do is to lose control of your bike. We designed the cape to help the cyclists be more visible to other road users as well as to navigate through the city without taking your hands off your handle bars.

We used the IBM internet of things service to read and write cycle commute data to be shared social to enhanced the experience of the cycle community.Note: The Social Cycle Platform currently consists of a basic Ionic app and the Social Cycle wearable. The app can run on an Android or iOS device, connect to the wearable via low power bluetooth connection, and only does so when it is required to send signals to the wearable. During the development of the auto route feature we were using Google Maps API and GPS to update our signal but upon further research we found this violated the terms of use. As such we removed the offending code and have investigated other possile sources such as MapQuest which we hope to implment this feature in futher iterations.We also plan on implementing a publish and subscribe service to power the S.O.S. Service, possibly using redis or mqtt on top of a node backend as well as a possible market place and S.O.S reviewer.

GLOBAL AWARDS

Best Hardware Project

We wanted the cape to be flexible like fabric but also have some physical volume to it. The structure draws inspiration from the soles of trainers. The LEDs are contained and protected within each triangular node and the breathable fabric acts as a flexible matrix to hold the cape close to the contours of the body. The profile was designed to accentuate the human form but also efficiently cover any backpack to which it’s applied. It is designed to not interfere with the cyclist so that s/he can focus on riding safely.

Once it’s put on, the rider has access to the following features:

Hands-free indication
The cape automatically indicates for you before you turn based on your predefined route.
Smart navigation
Cycling is the best way to explore new places in the city. Tell the Social Cycle app your chosen new destination, it can then sync with your cape that flashes on your left or right shoulder to guide you along the way.
Rear light
The cape also glows just like your rear light by default, so that you can be always visible to other road users.
Brake Light
Using GPS data and accelerometer, the cape lets other road users know when you are slowing down. The cape has a scaling red strip to indicate light/heavy braking.

The app - Connect and empower cycling community

Although your bike can only take one person, cyclists share a natural bond. From individual cyclists, bike shops to cyclist cafés, cycling is more than a mode of transport but a lifestyle. We believe that the stronger this bond is amongst the cycling community, the more cyclists there will be.

Community support wherever you are
It’s inevitable to have punctures, loose pedals or other troubles while you’re on the road. Sometimes you might forget to bring the right tools, and sometimes you might simply not have the knowledge to fix it yourself. The Social Cycle app connects you to other cyclists nearby to lend you a hand with a smile. Alternatively, it will also show you the closest bike shops if no one happens to be around.

Real-time road condition report
Pot holes, Constructions, road closures or accidents, our cities can be unpredictable. Cyclists can easily alert others with the Social Cycle app, which will then link with the cape to guide you through the alternative route and get you to your destination.
Rewards
Helping others not only feels good but it’s also rewarding in a very real way with Social Cycle. Everyone who receives help from other cyclists can choose to give them badges so their good deeds are recognised by the community, also to tip them points that can be exchanged into exclusive offers and gifts from participating stores and organisations.

For a better experience, go to the following URL on your mobile phone: http://invis.io/GV2I64EHW

The future - Collective intelligence to change cycling infrastructure

As more cyclists use the Social Cycle platform, the aggregated data on road conditions can be invaluable for cycling charities, local councils, and governments to have greater insight in how cyclists experience the roads in order to improve the infrastructure that’s truly cyclist-friendly. The platform will also provide an accessible community and knowledge for cycle charities and other organisations that share our values to improve cyclist safety.

Revenue and impact - The heart of the cycling ecosystem

Initially we hope to acquire initial funding through public funds for social enterprises and technology startups, as well as a crowdfunding campaign for the wearable itself.

Looking forward, we hope to generate revenue through the wearable product sales while getting the free mobile app in as many cyclists’ mobile devices as possible.
In the longer term, by connecting a community of cyclists to businesses at the right time when cyclists need their service or products the most, this will not only benefit cyclists but also for those businesses serving them.